Import eligibility for hockey-stick raw material upheld under Open General Licence on product-specific use

Imported ash wood planks described as Prime Ash Planking Unedged were treated as raw material for manufacture of hockey sticks, because their specifications were suited to that end use and the importer was a small-scale sports goods unit. On those facts, the goods were not regarded as ordinary timber or restricted imports requiring a Special Import Licence, and they fell within the permissible Open General Licence category. The challenge to the Commissioner's order therefore failed.

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Issues: Whether the imported ash wood planks, described as "Prime Ash Planking Unedged", were eligible for import as raw material for manufacture of hockey sticks under Open General Licence, or were restricted goods requiring a Special Import Licence.

Analysis: The goods were found to be specific to the manufacture of hockey sticks and not ordinary timber. Their dimensions were suitable for that use, and the importer was a small-scale unit engaged in manufacture of sports goods. On these facts, the goods were treated as raw material falling within the permissible import category.

Conclusion: The goods were held to be importable under Open General Licence, and the challenge to the Commissioner's order failed.

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